Triple chance slot machine game

ABSTRACT

Concepts for playing slot machine games, with the player having multiple opportunities to obtain a winning hand. The slot machine deals a first hand, and the first hand is evaluated against a first Table of Values. If no winning combination is obtained, the slot machine deals a second hand, and the second hand is evaluated against the first Table of Values. If still no winning combination is obtained, the slot machine deals a third hand, and the third hand is evaluated against the first Table of Values. If no winning combination is obtained, the player can hold some elements from the third hand and the slot machine deals additional elements to complete a fourth hand. The fourth hand is evaluated against a second Table of Values. Players with a winning combination are paid in accordance with a selected ranking winning combination from the appropriate Table of Values.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/462,948 entitled Triple Play Slot Machine Game, filed with theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 15, 2003 by the inventorherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gaming machines of the type generallyreferred to as slot machines, and in particular, the invention providesa new and improved game to be played on such a machine. This inventionrelates generally to games of chance such as would be found in casinosand other legal gambling establishments and more particularly toelectronic gaming systems that can be used as slot machines. The game isenabled, in particular, for video gambling machines, computer games, orother electronic or mechanical devices.

2. Background of the Art

In the gaming business there are two kinds of games; one in which theresults depend solely on luck, and another in which the results dependon the skill of the players. Examples of games depending solely on luckinclude basic slot machines, roulette, and craps. Examples of gamesdepending on the players' skill include draw poker and blackjack.

Although, the gaming industry has undergone a significant expansion inrecent years, the most popular form of gaming continues to be centeredabout slot machines. They account for approximately three-fourths of thetotal volume of all gambling activities in the United States. Because ofthe volume of slot machine gaming, numerous devices, rules, and methodsof operation have been proposed and introduced in efforts to improve thegames.

Over the years and in keeping with the changes in technology, slotmachines have evolved from purely mechanical devices, throughelectromechanical devices to present day electronic slot machines, mostof which are controlled entirely by computer. Most present day slotmachines have a video screen to display symbols based on graphic datastored in memory associated with a computer processor.

Video slot machine games are generally played on an electronic videogaming machine that uses a video screen display to show images ofpredefined symbols to a player. Computer controls carried on a printedcircuit board mounted on the interior of the gaming machineelectronically randomize the symbols, activate the game sequence inresponse to input by a player, cause the symbols to be displayed on thevideo screen display, and analyze the results to determine winning andlosing combinations. The computer controls also affect payouts to theplayer based on the amount of the player's wager and the rank of winningcombinations of symbols.

The higher the combination achieved by the player, the greater theplayer's winnings based on the number of coins, tokens or creditswagered by the player. Typically, a payout schedule is posted on thegaming machine to advise the player of the payoffs available for certainwinning combinations.

Nevertheless, players have become bored with traditional video games.Players prefer to play machines that have pay tables with high payoutsfor the types of winning combinations that are achievable. With thegrowth that has occurred in the gaming machine market, there is intensecompetition among manufacturers to supply various existing and newvenues. Gaming casino operators are desirous of having different typesof electronic video games to offer to players. When selecting a supplierof gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay closeattention to the popularity of various games with their patrons.Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games, whichare popular with players, as a mechanism for improving sales.

Despite numerous improvements in the quality and variety of gamingmachines made over the years, there remains a need for improved gamemachines and methods that provide more attractive machine play andassociated entertainment. Although there have been attempts to improveupon existing games and to develop new games of chance, there exists aneed for a game that more closely meets the player's needs forexcitement, risk, quickly and easily understood play, and possibility ofsuccess. At the same time, the game must meet the casinos' prerequisitefor profitability from the use of the game.

A need exists for a wagering game that is intended to be played ingambling casinos, that is simple to learn and play, and that results inincreased revenues for the casino. There is a need for new video gamingmachines that are capable of encouraging a high volume of play while atthe same time offering what the players consider to be good pay tables.Furthermore, there is a need to provide new and interesting electronicvideo games that attract players and that can increase the volume ofwagering in each gaming machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills these needs. It is a fast-paced game ofsimple consistent rules, player participation, choice of risk offered bya variety of games, and corresponding to varying payout. The house edgeis fairly derived and players will detect this fairness through thepayout odds. These features will increase the number of players to thegame, both experienced and inexperienced players, generating playersatisfaction and profitability to the casino.

Primary objects are to provide: (a) game concepts, (b) method steps forplay of a round, and (c) software programming concepts for apparatusenabling a slot machine game in which a player can play a plurality ofhands with multiple chances to obtain a winning combination and canselect to hold some of the random elements for an additional chance toobtain a winning combination.

Another object of the present invention is straightforward entertainmentwith some of the atmosphere of a casino. A related object of the presentinvention is to provide an enjoyable gambling game.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game thatwill be easy for players to learn.

A further object is implementation of supervision and control of theflow of a slot machine game by a computer software program.

Another object is to provide visible winning results promptly forentertainment purposes, or, additionally, for wagering such that acasino atmosphere of chance is available for a single, or for aplurality of players, in a single round of a slot machine game.

Another object is to enable a player to play more than one hand in asingle round of the slot machine game being played.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a video gamingmachine apparatus, which displays a new and interesting game thatencourages a high amount of individual player interest while maintainingacceptable payback percentages.

A further object of the present invention is to enable adaptation of theinvention to usage independent of a gaming establishment, includingindividual personal usage.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention are described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a videogaming machine including: display means arranged to display a game beingplayed on the machine; game initiating means to initiate a game on themachine; and game control means responsive to the initiating means tocontrol the playing of the game, characterized in that the game enablesa player to play a game based on a combination of luck and skill. Thedisplay means is arranged to display a plurality of indicia in a firsthand, each indicia being associated with random elements according to aselected game. The control means is characterized by evaluating suchfirst hand based on predetermined winning combinations and awarding aprize to the player, in the event indicia of such elements creates awinning combination. If such first hand does not create a winningcombination, the control means causes the display means to display asecond hand. The control means evaluates such second hand based onpredetermined winning combinations and awards a prize to the player, inthe event indicia of such elements in such second hand creates a winningcombination. The control means continue to cause the display means todisplay additional hands until a predetermined number of non-winningcombinations has been displayed. The control means is furthercharacterized by including indicia selection means arranged to allow aplayer to select some indicia in such final display to ‘hold’ selectedelements, and to enable continued play by displaying additional indiciato complete a slot according to the game being played based on theindicia being ‘held’.

Applicant knows of no slot machine that gives a player the opportunityto draw three ‘hands’ for a single bet. If none of the first three draw‘hands’ is a winning hand, the player can hold elements of the thirdhand to enable a fourth opportunity to establish a winning ‘hand’.Furthermore, the slot machine game described herein enables simultaneousplay of a plurality of lines for increased enjoyment.

In a preferred embodiment, the display means is a touch sensitive videoscreen and the player selects indicia by touching areas of the screen onwhich the selected indicia are displayed; however, other selectionmechanisms are also possible, such as buttons indicating grid referenceson the display.

Whether solely for amusement or for entertainment with wagering, anelectronic video game machine can be used. Such sets of indicia can bedisplayed in an electronic or other machine play apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are considered in more detail, in relation to the followingdescription of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for describing procedural steps of a specificembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a slot machine incorporating the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of processing components forperforming functions according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims maybe better understood by referring to the following detailed description,which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Thisdetailed description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one tobuild and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended tolimit the invention, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Thoseskilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use theconception and specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying ordesigning other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposesof the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realizethat such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scopeof the invention in its broadest form.

In the following detailed description, the methodology of theembodiments will be described and it is to be understood that it iswithin the capabilities of a non-inventive worker in the art tointroduce the methodology on any standard microprocessor based gamingmachine by means of appropriate programming.

In prior slot machine games, a single slot of three or more elements isdisplayed and analyzed for a single player. The present inventionenables a single player to play a plurality of slots, simultaneously.

In a first embodiment a standard deck of 52 cards is established foreach reel to comprise a slot for such a single round by softwarecontrol, which also achieves a promptly executed round of play,notwithstanding that more than one hand can be played by a singleplayer. The number of reels per slot is determined by the style of gamebeing played.

Whether solely for amusement or for entertainment with wagering, in afirst embodiment, standard designations for playing cards are utilized.The slot machine game may be a variety of poker. The player makes thatchoice before the cards are dealt, and that choice provides certain, butlimited, mechanics for play of a round that are implemented by conceptstaught herein.

The apparatus for home or private club play enables selectivedetermination if wagering is to be involved.

Referring to FIG. 1, play begins when a player presents a wager atstation 10, which can include an administrative fee for management ofthe game, as well as the “ante” to participate. Such a quantitativelyfixed wager is made for each hand/slot, if that player selects to playmore than one hand/slot. A minimum and maximum for competitive wageringcan be prescribed for an individual round. Present concepts can providefor handling differing wagering amounts for one or more players.

At station 13, a first hand of a predetermined number of cards isdisplayed (as if dealt face up) from multiple decks of 52 cards. Forexample, for a standard five-card poker hand, a first reel randomlydisplays one element from the 52-card deck, that element is removed fromthe remaining four reels; a second reel randomly displays one elementfrom the remaining 51-card deck, that element is removed from theremaining three reels; a third reel randomly displays one element fromthe remaining 50-card deck, that element is removed from the remainingtwo reels; a fourth reel randomly displays one element from theremaining 49-card deck, that element is removed from the remaining reel;a fifth reel randomly displays one element from the remaining 48-carddeck.

The first hand is compared to a first Table of Values at station 16. Ifthe player has a winning combination according to such first Table ofValues as determined at station 19, a payout on the wager is made 22 andthe game is concluded. Otherwise, play of the game proceeds to station25 where a second hand of a predetermined number of cards is displayed(as if dealt face up) from multiple decks of 52 cards, as describedabove. In an alternate embodiment, such second hand may be dealtbeginning with the remaining 47-card deck. The second hand is comparedto the first Table of Values at station 28. If the player has a winningcombination in such second hand according to such first Table of Valuesas determined at station 31, a payout on the wager is made 22 and thegame is concluded. Otherwise, play of the game proceeds to station 34where a third hand of a predetermined number of cards is displayed (asif dealt face up) from multiple decks of 52 cards, as described above.In an alternate embodiment, such third hand may be dealt beginning withthe remaining 42-card deck, if the same deck had been used to displaysuch second hand at station 25. The third hand is compared to the firstTable of Values at station 37. If the player has a winning combinationin the third hand according to such first Table of Values as determinedat station 40, a payout on the wager 22 is made and the game isconcluded.

In the embodiment described herein, up to three hands are displayed inorder for the player to try to obtain a winning combination. The numberof hands need not be so limited. Any predetermined number of hands maybe used.

After the last hand has been display and if no winning combination hasyet been achieved, the player may be given an additional opportunity toestablish a winning combination. The player evaluates the cards in thelast hand based on his or her skill or knowledge in establishingelements that are most likely to lead to the best combination available,according to the player, considering the variety of game to be played.At station 43, the player selects elements to hold. Next, cards asneeded are dealt to the hand for the player, according to the variety ofgame being played, from the remaining cards in the deck as indicated at46. For example, in a five-card poker game, if two elements have beenselected to be held, then the player would receive three cards tocomplete his or her poker hand. Such three cards are randomly selectedfrom the cards remaining in the deck. The final hand is compared to asecond Table of Values at station 49. In general, the second Table ofValues would have lower payouts for winning combinations as compared tothe first Table of Values. If the player has a winning combinationaccording to such second Table of Values as determined at station 52, apayout on the wager is made 55 and the game is complete. If no winningcombination is achieved the game is concluded. In some embodiments, anadditional wager may be required to enable such additional chance.

In an alternate embodiment, after the last hand has been evaluatedagainst the first Table of Values, the player may elect to have anadditional hand dealt to be the hand from which elements are selected tobe held, instead of using the last hand. The player evaluates the cardsin the additional hand based on his or her skill or knowledge inestablishing elements that are most likely to lead to the bestcombination available, according to the player, considering the varietyof game to be played. The player selects elements to hold at station 43.Next, cards as needed are dealt to the hand for the player, according tothe variety of game being played, from the remaining cards in the deckas indicated at 46. The final hand is compared to the second Table ofValues at station 49. If the player has a winning combination accordingto the second Table of Values as determined at station 52, a payout onthe wager is made 55 and the game is complete. If no winning combinationis achieved the game is concluded.

In a computerized embodiment of the game, each poker hand is displayedin a horizontal presentation of cards on a video screen, and is referredto as a “slot”. In an alternate embodiment, a player can play aplurality of slots/hands. In versions in which wagering is involved, aseparate wager is required for each slot/hand.

In the case of multiple slots, if, at the end of the last cycle,indicated at 40, there is more than one slot/hand without a winningcombination, the player may select the slot/hand to use for theadditional chance. Selection of such slot is based on such player'sskill and knowledge of the selected variety of poker to obtain ahigher-ranking poker hand. Once the slot is selected, play continuesfrom station 43, as described above.

In an alternate embodiment in which multiple slots are played, theplayer may elect to have an additional hand dealt to be evaluatedagainst the second Table of Values. For example, in the case in whichthree slots are played, if all three slots have a winning hand, a fourthhand may be dealt. The player evaluates the cards in the fourth hand andselects elements to hold, as described above. Next, cards as needed aredealt to the poker hand for the player. The final hand is compared tothe second Table of Values. If the player has a winning hand accordingto such second Table of Values, a payout on the wager is made and thegame is concluded. If no winning combination is achieved the game isconcluded.

Players succeed by obtaining a hand/slot, or hands/slots, that containsa winning combination of elements according to defined combinationrankings. If a player's hand/slot contains a winning combination, theplayer receives payment on his or her wager. If a player's hand/slotdoes not contain a winning combination, that player loses his or herwager.

The steps and functions of a controller are established on software andtake place electronically in video games to provide and distributeelectronic designation of playing elements, to maintain control of playof the game for plural players, and to sequence the steps of the gameproperly, while providing for selections made by a player, or players.Such game controller is also responsible for collecting wagers that arelost and making payments to winners, according to the applicable game ofpoker.

Referring to FIG. 2, the illustrated embodiment of the invention may behoused in a slot machine cabinet 60 including a decorative panel 63 fordisplaying advertising, a trademark, a decorative picture, a briefdescription of game instructions, Tables of Values for winningcombinations, and the like. A coin entry slot 66 is provided to receivecoins, tokens or game chips (hereinafter coins) for wagering on a playof the game. A payout tray or coin hopper 68 is disposed on the front ofcabinet 60 for holding coins dispensed in the course of a game.

Preferably, a game display means comprises a video display screen 70controlled to display indicia images as described herein. The videoscreen is preferably of the touch sensitive variety, having a touchsensitive input area 73 located on its display surface on which playerselections for play of the game described herein are to be made.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustration of processingcomponents for performing functions according to the present inventionis shown. A central processing unit (CPU) 74 is connected to touchsensitive input area 73 for receiving player input. The centralprocessing unit 74 receives player input and controls the play of thegame. CPU 74 also controls the display of images (characters, numbers,and symbols) on video screen 70 to operate each unit. A displaycontroller 77 controls the display of images to video screen 70.

A storage device 80 is constituted of a ROM, a hard disk, or the like,and stores a program for playing the slot machine game, symbol patternsof each playing element, and the like. RAM 81 is used for storing datainput from the touch sensitive input 73, such as a score list indicatingthe contents of played games, the number of credited coins, and thelike.

In an alternate embodiment, an amplifier 83 drives speaker 84 forgenerating sounds to resemble shuffling cards, to highlight game resultconditions, game termination, and the like.

A coin sensor 86 detects a coin inserted into the coin entry slot 66.The hopper 68 ejects credited coins.

New game concepts are based on multiple chances to obtain a winning handfor a single wager; that is, the first predetermined number of hands isdealt and each hand is dealt the same number of elements to complete thehand for the selected game being played. Any one of such first hands mayobtain a winning combination. The number of elements to be dealt isestablished when a player at a machine selects a type of game to beplayed. It is intended that all games in which a player has multiplechances to obtain a winning hand for a single wager are included in thisinvention.

Among the advantages of the invention are the simplicity of play andease of administration. Novel concepts of this invention provide forgames that are easy to administer and fun to play.

The game is preferably played in video poker machines, computers, videogame machines, and hand-held, mechanical, or video poker devices. Avideo machine can enable a single player to play more than one hand at atime and can be used to accommodate a plurality of players.

As can be seen from the description of the embodiments, the presentinvention is readily adaptable to play on a computer or video game. Aperson skilled in the art of computer and video game construction, aswell as those skilled in other arts, will incorporate the method andconduct of this invention in such computer and video games.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of slot machine devices, astaught herein, can be connected to a central controller, which can beused to maintain a jackpot prize schedule for all devices in a networkof devices. In this manner, several gaming establishments can combine tooffer a single prize larger than any one establishment. Alternatively,each slot machine device can be adapted for maintaining a jackpot prizeschedule for independent operation.

The invention has been described with references to a preferredembodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and stepshave been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of theinvention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention asbroadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of theabove teachings, those skilled in the art could modify those specificswithout departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully setforth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the conceptunderlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well ascertain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown anddescribed will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becomingfamiliar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include allsuch modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as theycome within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. Itshould be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, thepresent embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive.

1. Method of conducting a slot machine game, comprising (A) providing a set of contest elements for said game in which said set includes a plurality of contest elements having a surface area with playing indicia on said surface area; (B) designating a version of a showdown card game in the poker family to be utilized in play of a round of the slot machine game; (C) determining the number of slots to be played by each participant of the game; (D) displaying a predetermined number of contest elements to each participant, for each slot being played, according to the version of the game; (E) evaluating the combination of elements in each slot; (F) if the combination of elements is not a winning combination according to a first Table of Values, repeating steps (D) through (F) a predetermined number of times, or until a winning combination is obtained; and (G) after said predetermined number of times, if no winning combination is obtained, (i) permitting each participant to identify one slot for further play, if more than one slot is being played, (ii) permitting each participant to selectively reject at least one but not all elements obtained in the identified slot; (iii) distributing additional elements to each participant corresponding to the number of elements, rejected in step (ii), above; and (iv) evaluating the combination of elements held by each participant against a second Table of Values.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (H) permitting a participant to make a wager to participate when the version of the game to be played has been designated, and (I) paying such participant a preestablished amount, based on the amount of such wager, if a slot of such participant evaluated in step (E) comprises a predetermined winning combination of elements according to said first Table of Values, or (J) paying such participant a preestablished amount, based on the amount of such wager, if a slot of such participant evaluated in step (G) comprises a predetermined winning combination of elements according to said second Table of Values.
 3. The method of claim 2, in which such predetermined winning combinations are based on an accepted standard for poker hand rankings.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said combinations are determined for five card poker hands.
 5. The method of claim 4, in which a separate deck is used for each said five-card poker hand.
 6. The method of claim 1, in which a separate deck is used each time steps (D) through (F) are repeated.
 7. The method of claim 1, in which said game is played on a device selected from the group consisting of: a) electronic video game machines; b) computers; c) hand-held mechanical devices; and d) hand-held video devices.
 8. A slot machine comprising: (A) game initiating means to initiate a game on the machine; (B) display means disposed to display the game being played on the machine wherein said display means is arranged to display a plurality of contest elements; (C) game control means responsive to the initiating means to control the playing of the game, wherein the control means (i) causes the display means to display a first combination of contest elements, wherein the number of elements in such first combination corresponds to a selected game of chance, said control means evaluates said first combination of contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and awards a prize to a player in the event that said first combination matches a winning combination based on a first Table of Values; (ii) if said first combination of contest elements is not a winning combination based on said first Table of Values, said control means causes said display means to display a second combination of contest elements, wherein the number of elements in such second combination corresponds to the number of elements in said first combination of elements, said control means evaluates said second combination of contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and awards a prize to said player in the event that said second combination matches a winning combination based on said first Table of Values; and (iii) if no winning combination has been obtained, said control means causes said display means to display additional combinations of elements until a predetermined number of non-winning combinations has been played; and (D) element selection means responsive to the control means, wherein (i) said control means permits a player to select contest elements to hold at least one but not all contest element, and to reject selected elements from the last combination; (ii) said control means causes said display means to display a number of additional contest elements, wherein the number of additional elements corresponds to the number of elements rejected; and (iii) said control means compares the combination of contest elements held and the additional contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and awards a prize to the player in the event that said combination of contest elements matches a winning combination according to a second Table of Values.
 9. The slot machine of claim 8, further comprising means for a player to wager on the displayed combination of elements.
 10. The slot machine of claim 8, wherein the display means comprises a touch sensitive video screen and the player selects indicia by touching areas of the screen on which the selected indicia are displayed.
 11. The slot machine of claim 8, including buttons indicating grid reference on the display such that indicia positions may be selected by the player pressing buttons.
 12. The slot machine of claim 8 wherein the display is a mechanical or electromechanical device.
 13. An electronic system for playing a slot machine game having a plurality of play options wherein a win or a loss is determined after each play of the game, the system comprising: (A) a game enclosure, the enclosure including a player interface means for at least one player to physically interact with the system; (B) bet value entry means for generating a bet value signal to the system, the bet value signal representing an amount of a bet placed by said player; (C) player display means arranged to display a plurality of contest elements for visually indicating to the player said contest elements having indicia thereon; (D) game initiating means to initiate a game on the machine; (E) processor means; and (F) game control means responsive to the initiating means and the processor means to control the playing of the game, wherein the control means (i) causes the display means to display a first combination of contest elements, wherein the number of elements in such first combination corresponds to a selected game of chance, said processor means evaluates said first combination of contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and said game control means awards a prize to a player in the event that said first combination matches a winning combination based on a first Table of Values; (ii) if said first combination of contest elements is not a winning combination based on said first Table of Values, said control means causes said display means to display a second combination of contest elements, wherein the number of elements in such second combination corresponds to the number of elements in said first combination of elements, said processor means evaluates said second combination of contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and said control means awards a prize to said player in the event that said second combination matches a winning combination based on said first Table of Values; and (iii) if no winning combination has been obtained, said control means causes said display means to display additional combinations of elements until a predetermined number of non-winning combinations has been played; and (G) element selection means responsive to the control means, wherein (i) said control means permits a player to select contest elements to hold at least one but not all contest element, and to reject selected elements from the last combination; (ii) said control means causes said display means to display a number of additional contest elements, wherein the number of additional elements corresponds to the number of elements rejected; (iii) said processor means compares the combination of contest elements held and the additional contest elements to determine if a winning combination is displayed, and said control means awards a prize to the player in the event that said combination of contest elements matches a winning combination according to a second Table of Values; wherein (H) the processor means is electrically connected to the player display means, to the player selection means, to the bet value entry means, and to the game control means. 